Shay Park Victim Died Of Meth – October 15, 2010

SHAY PARK – The traveler who was found dead in Jolly Giant Creek in Shay Park Sept. 23 died of a methamphetamine overdose, according to the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

Dale Wayne Martin, 41, of Grants Pass, Ore., was discovered in Jolly Giant Creek. Pinpointing the time of death was not possible, according to Deputy Coroner Charlie Van Buskirk, since the water was cold and the area was shaded. Van Buskirk said Martin had been there for two to seven days.

Toxicology tests of a tissue sample returned a methamphetamine level of 5.9 mg/Kg, or 5.9 milligrams of meth per kilogram of body weight. Van Buskirk said 4.8 mg/Kg can be lethal.

In addition, small amounts of both alcohol and Orphenadrine, a muscle relaxant, were also present.

Van Buskirk said there was no evidence of trauma or injury. It is not known how Martin’s body came to be in the creek location, which was surrounded by thick foliage.

Sadly, Van Buskirk said Martin had been headed to Southern California to reconcile with an estranged relative.